Week 4

Project Update:

4/25/17

Current Statues:

As we enter week 4 of the project, we are waiting on 3D components for our block puncher to be delivered to us. We are expecting these to be done in the next day or two. Once these components are printed we can begin to assemble the block puncher and mount it to the robot. This is one of the last major mechanical components that needs to be built, and after we can move on to wiring up the electrical components.

The electrical components have pretty much all been sourced. We have motors/servos for all moving components and motors shields to drive them. We have purchased 10 revolution potentiometers for motor positioning control and have successfully implemented these in bench tests. By the end of week 4 we want to have the block puncher built and working so that by the end of week 5 all mechanical and electrical components are installed and ready to be tested.

Current Challenges:

• Controlling sag in the mechanical system when the robot hits its target position.
  • Need to look into PID control
  • May want to consider using stepper motors and or encoders

Short Term Goals:

• Gain more confidence in our ability to control the DC motors using pots.
• Build the block puncher before the end of week 4.

Long Term Goals:

• Integrate all sub systems by the end of week 5.
• Begin improving any mechanical systems that appear to be failing.
• Develop the current code outline Jeremy has started for final competition.